Now that the new year is upon us, it's time for our Top 3 Wine Resolutions for 2012 (and one great Spanish wine for under $13). |
1. Try New Grape Varieties |
It's incredibly easy to find yourself in a wine rut, drinking the same grape variety over and over again. This year, our top wine resolution is to expand your horizons and try at least one new grape variety each month. We love to help our clients with this simple resolution. Discovering new tastes is one of the most exciting aspects of the wine world. |
|
White Wine Grape Variety Resolutions for 2012 |
Spain: Godello (Valdeorras), Txakolina (Pais Vasco), Verdejo (Rueda), and Albariño (Rias Baixas) |
Italy: Pigato (Liguria), Grillo (Sicily), and Falanghina (Campania) |
France: Picpoul de Pinet (Languedoc-Roussillon), Muscadet (Loire), Cassis (Provence), and Grenache Gris (Languedoc-Roussillon) |
Other: Furmint (Hungary), Torrontes (Argentina), Asirtiko and Moscofilero (Greece), and Gruner Veltliner (Austria) |
|
Red Wine Grape Variety Resolutions for 2012 |
Spain: Tempranillo (Ribera del Duero), Mencia (Bierzo), and Garnacha (Navarra and elsewhere) |
Italy: Salice Salentino (Apulia), Aglianico (Campania), Rosso Piceno (Abruzzo and Molise), Nero d'Avola (Sicily), and Teroldego (Trentino/Alto Adige) |
France: Carignan (Languedoc-Roussillon), Cabernet Franc (Chinon), Gamay (Loire), and Mourvedre (Bandol, Provence) |
Others: Zweigelt (Austria), Tannat (Uruguay), Aghiorghitiko (Greece), Bonarda (Argentina), Pinotage (South Africa), and Carmenere (Chile) |
|
2. Try New Wine Regions |
The same grape variety can taste entirely different grown in different areas. Some say this is the effect of terroir, others believe it's merely due to technical factors such as soil, climate, etc. This year, our second wine resolution is to try wine growing regions you've never heard of, or experienced, before. Yet another great way to expand your vinous horizons! |
While you're working on this resolution, don't forget to try white wine regions, red wine regions, sparkling wine regions, and dessert wine regions in your quest for fluid knowledge. |
|
3. Serve Wine at the Correct Temperature |
Most people (and even a lot of restaurants) serve red wines too warm and white wines too cold. When red wine is served at “room temperature” (approximately 70 degrees) it can taste overly alcoholic and too fruity. A white wine served too cool has the opposite problem. It can be tasteless and show very muted fruit. |
Place a bottle of red wine in the refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving. This is particularly important when a red wine has been stored (or served) in a warm room, or during the warmer months of the year. |
Conversely, a white wine should be removed from the refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving. This rule applies any time of the year. |
As you have fun with these wine resolutions and make wine a dynamic part of your life in 2012, we want to present you with the opportunity to utilize all three of these resolutions right now, starting with an exciting wine from a region in Spain called Montsant in Cataluñya. |
|
Aviva Vino Bula 2009 |
|
Since 2001, the higher western vineyards in what was once Tarragona have had their own DO called Montsant. Its vineyards were given their own appellation in order to highlight their superior quality. |
This is a relatively new and exciting appellation clasping the eastern, western, and southern edges of the prestigious Priorat. While it lacks the schist soils of its more famous neighbor, it produces wines of similar quality and character due to the old Garnacha and Cariñena vineyards growing on steep slopes. |
If you remember one thing about the Montsant area of Spain, it should be that when done properly, it delivers the mineral-driven, spicy character of a top Priorat wine for a ridiculously low price in comparison. |
“There are plenty of pricey Priorats that can't match this wine's intensity and complexity.” |
“The 2009 Bula is a blend of 50% Cariñena, 30% Garnacha, and 20% Syrah aged 4 months in French and American oak. It offers up a lightly roasted, liqueur-like bouquet of mineral, incense, game, lavender, black cherry, and blueberry.
Rich and complex on the smooth-textured palate, this layered offering is an incredible value in full-flavored red wine. It will drink well over the next 8 years. Drink 2011-2019.” (Wine Advocate) |
Wine Advocate: 91 points |
“Fresh red berries and cherry on the nose, with complicating notes of dried flowers, minerals and licorice. Juicy, fresh red berry and bitter cherry flavors are framed by silky tannins and lifted by zesty minerality. The floral and mineral notes resonate on the long, gently sweet, vibrant finish.
There are plenty of pricey Priorats that can't match this wine's intensity and complexity.” (Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar) |
International Wine Cellar: 90 points |
$12.99/bottle or $124.70/12 pack case ($10.39/bottle) or just $10.39/bottle in a mixed case of wine. |
|
Cheers to the start of a very good year! |